Thurston Economic Development Council

The Thurston EDC is the state-designated economic development agency for Thurston County, and in that role represents the County on a number of statewide, national and international issues. At the EDC, we accomplish this by connecting local businesses with experts and resources to help them stay competitive. Through our partnerships, the EDC can attract new industries and businesses, retain existi

ng employers, and expand interest in doing business in Thurston County. The purposeful mix of programs at the EDC is designed to provide entrepreneurs, small businesses, large firms, and our partner organizations with comprehensive and innovative services that support their growth and the diversity of our local economy.

- Business Resource Center (BRC): The BRC exists to develop the entrepreneurial network of Thurston County. It supports the entire business life-cycle - from planning, launching, growing, to turn-around and exit planning - by providing services and resources such as start-up help, established business counseling, training classes and more.

- Washington Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC): Thurston EDC is the statewide lead for Washington PTAC. This program creates and retains jobs by helping businesses find, bid and win government contracts. They provide technical assistance on how to sell to federal, state, and local governments, including the military.

- Thurston Energy: helps local businesses & homeowners save energy and reduce operating costs by connecting them to local contractors engaged in energy efficiency evaluations and improvements. This service lowers operation costs, frees up capital, reduces energy usage and puts folks int eh construction trades back to work.

- Washington Center for Women in Business (WCWB): The WCWB provides entrepreneurial and small business counseling to women business owners throughout the region. The program will be an online and in-person social network of professional women, providing networking, training, counseling and encouragement for women who are starting or developing new businesses.

- Workforce Development: Workforce development helps businesses navigate the local public and private workforce system. This program does this by providing a road map that ensures access to the services that provide labor pool sourcing, training and certification programs, and by advocating for a strong and viable workforce.

- Tumwater Brewery Project: the Thurston EDC is working in collaboration with the City of Tumwater to implement a community vision for the redevelopment of the former Olympia Brewery site. The site is large and has regional benefits and impacts. The EDC brings a regional perspective and is setting the stage for private investment and public benefits.